Fletcher Elementary School Students Learn About Native American Culture

The fourth grade teachers at Fletcher Elementary
School have been taking steps to provide additional opportunities to educate
their students on Native American history and culture. Last week, their students
welcomed Native American guest speaker, Mr. Dave Ruch, who spoke to over 100 fourth
grade students about the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people.

Mr. Ruch is a Native American speaker and singer, leading students on a
fun-filled musical journey into history through use of his guitar and some
traditional Haudenosaunee instruments.

As part of their social studies curriculum, students have spent the past
month learning about Native American history and culture indigenous to our
area. The interview with Mr. Ruch was
the culmination of their unit which also included creating and playing Native
American designed “drums” students made of shoe boxes in their music class.

During the interview, Mr. Ruch spoke about the Iroquois people including
the Iroquois’ use of their surroundings to meet their basic needs for food,
clothing and shelter. Students were able
to ask a variety of questions to Mr. Ruch and each fourth grade class was able
to participate in the interview within their own classroom through a shared Skype
session which was projected over the classroom’s SmartBoard. Mr. Ruch’s pride for his culture was strongly
reflected back in the student interest generated as students became captivated
in the songs and stories Mr. Ruch shared.

Following the presentation, many students now have a deeper appreciation
of Native American history and culture thanks to the teachings and songs shared
by Mr. Ruch.

Fletcher students Skype with Native American
guest speaker, Mr. Dave Ruch and learn about the
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people.